The Rainbow Page #3

I believe you mentioned a fee.

Get out!

How dare you lead me on, you money-grabbing b*tch?!

You disgusting little trollop!

Get out!

Ha!

Halt!

Quite commendable. You have the skill, but you lack the desire to win.

Yes, miss. Thank you.

And desire, girls, is the source of all truth and good.

Class dismissed.

There'll be no instruction next week owing to exams, so good luck.

- ALL:

- Thank you, miss.

So, you got picked on today.

Ursula, I'm sorry about Mack. I should have thought it through.

It was...

An act of love, perhaps.

In a way.

There are things one should understand about life, even artists.

It's best to be prepared.

Who prepared me for that?

Experience is the best teacher.

I was half expecting you last weekend.

I was studying.

What are you doing in the holidays?

Uncle Henry's invited me to Grange Hall. I said I'd bring you.

You will come, won't you?

HORN:

Out the way!

Nearly late for his own funeral.

Has there been a death in the family?

No, miss, it were only a miner.

A miner?

He leaves a wife and two bairns.

Was it an accident?

Consumption.

It gets them sooner or later. He died gradually - fretful.

My father went the same. It's a relief when it's over.

Gruesome.

And the widow?

She'll be getting married again directly.

Her two sisters have just changed husbands.

Is Uncle Henry going to the funeral?

No, miss, but he'll send biggest wreath.

Ah! There you are!

About time, too. You missed Anton, I'm afraid. He was disappointed.

Never mind. I'm pleased your friend could manage it.

Hello.

I'm Henry Brangwen.

Hello.

Welcome to Grange Hall.

Thank you.

I'm so glad that...

I'm sorry. You're upset?

No.

She saw your wreath and burst into tears at the thought of that miner.

I did no such thing, I've a smut in my eye.

From one of your filthy pit chimneys.

Let me see. Williams should have had the top down, he's bone idle.

Just look up.

There!

Souvenir.

Why are the men so sad?

Are they?

They seem unutterably sad.

I wouldn't go as far as that.

They just take it all for granted. They accept their lot.

Why don't they alter it?

They alter themselves to fit the pits...

..rather than alter the pits to fit themselves.

It's easier.

You, of all people, agree...

..that human beings should adapt themselves to all kinds of horrors?!

We could easily do without the pits.

Until the wood ran out.

Perhaps their lives aren't so bad.

They are pretty bad. The pits are deep and hot, and in some places wet.

But they're paid good wages. They're sold to the pit.

And the women?

What do they get?

They get what's left.

BIRDSONG:

How delightful to hear birds singing at night.

COUGHS:

You will excuse me.

Good night!

Oh dear! What have I done now?

It's the canaries I breed for the pits.

The men take them down when they go to work.

How lovely.

When they stop singing, there's gas. One whiff and they're dead. The men have a minute.

Oh.

Ursula doesn't approve. They've saved many lives.

I get the impression that Ursula doesn't approve of you at all.

She loathes the fact that my pits support her family.

Perhaps I should go to her.

As you wish. I was about to retire myself.

Must be tiring working the pit.

The pits work themselves. It's my ankle - a strained tendon.

My doctor prescribes mustard baths.

Very anti-social.

I've heard of them prescribed for rheumatism, but not strains.

Really?

I'm a qualified osteopath.

Are you, now?

Would you like me to look at it?

Where?

Anywhere.

Here, if you like.

I don't know, they...

Are your servants.

They are rather limiting types.

Should they see my foot in your hand, they may...

May think I had a fetish.

Aye, they might.

It feels so strange - as if a kitten had swallowed a snake.

Give him to Jacobs before he has one of your fingers.

What's the object of this caper?

Tell her, Jacobs.

Aye, sir. To save our prize lettuce from the rabbits.

They make such lovely pets - lettuce.

Ursula, do grow up.

Well, there's another prize lettuce - saved.

Right. You shall have it for lunch.

I can see how this game amuses you.

It's like your pit, this warren. Your men haven't got a hope.

They certainly breed like them.

Catch them in a net, or they perish in the dark.

Either way they're doomed.

Ursula lacks the courage of her convictions.

LAUGHS:

Do you want to help me?

Yes, Daddy.

Help plant some taties if you like.

See these?

Hmm.

These are the sprouts. They have to stand straight.

We've to put them so far apart, do you see?

You stay here, I'll go down there and we'll meet in the middle.

What are you doing?! You're tramping on them!

That's like you - following your stupid nose.

Ursula, dearest, what have I done?

Nothing.

Is it because of your Uncle Henry and me?

No... I'm glad.

He's invited me to stay on after you've gone.

But if you'd rather you and I went off somewhere...

No, I have to go home. I'm expecting my examination results.

You've nothing to worry about there.

You are fond of him, aren't you?

I've been fond of him ever since I was a child.

He's a man by himself. He has something apart from the rest.

Yes, I thought you'd get on.

I know you did.

"Love seeketh not itself to please."

But... Henry!

Why not Henry?

I'd like to destroy his colliery.

And put everyone out of work?

I'd rather they starve and grub the earth for roots.

And what about us poor women? Huh?

Yes, I'll stay.

It'll be best.

Now, tell me you love me.

SIGHS:
Yes.

DAD!

DAD!

Dad, guess what!

Has Billy had too much birthday cake and disgraced himself?

Oh, Dad, please!

Does he like his tent?

Can't get him out of it. Dad, I passed my exams!

Hey! Well done, lass.

It came second post with a letter from my headmistress about a job.

A job?

Can't I go out to work?

Whatever for? You've enough to do helping your mother.

But I want some other kind of life!

What on earth do you mean by that?

- We'll discuss it after us tea.

- IMITATES FANFARE

# Happy birthday to you

# Happy birthday, dear Billy, Happy birthday... #

COMMOTION:

CHILD CRIES:

Here, come here!

What's the matter? Billy, what have you done to Rupert?

Mother, do something with him.

Come here, let me show you...

Your turn next, Ursula. What would you like?

Get her a bicycle, Dad, please.

To be free to earn my own keep. That's what I'd like best.

How will you do that?

I can become a teacher. I'm qualified by my matric.

Aye.

How much are you qualified to earn by your matric?

50 a year. It's not much, but it's enough to live on.

What kind of teacher will you make?

You've no patience with your own brothers and sisters.

Some people don't think so.

Oh?

My headmistress, for one.

"I deeply sympathise with your desire to do something."

"I shall be proud to see you win economic independence."

"It provides freedom of choice."

You did it behind our backs!

What do you mean?

School-leavers always have an interview with the headmistress.

"I see no reason why you shouldn't make a good teacher."

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes